MORALPANIC.2022
We define a moral panic as a fear of something that threatens the value, interest, or well-being of a community or society.
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We chose to analyze moral panics throughout the 1950s, 1970s, and 1990s to show that moral panics have happened and will continue happening because groups of people are unwilling to change their views. However, these moral panics are overcome by the evolution of societal norms and the change that is brought upon by national developments. What we have found throughout our research is that a pattern of immoral and moral norms exist depending on context. It is essential to recognize the profound impact that music has on our lives and its impact on our communities.
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Rock & Roll is a mover of change and rebellion in society. Artists like Elvis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and 2Pac have reshaped how we listen to music, and have helped create new perspectives on how we see the world. Although these new perspectives were loved, on the other hand, they were frowned upon for their immorality for some in society. Included in this website are three distinct moral panics that had a profound impact on the history of Rock & Roll.
Moral panics surrounding Rock & Roll pertain to the pushback of traditional American values throughout the second half of the 20th century. Rock artists used music to voice their concerns and demands for change during their respective careers. In the 1950s, Elvis Presley caused a moral panic over his sexualization in his persona and performances. Little Richard and Chuck Berry caused traditional society to go into disarray from racial mixing caused by their music.In the 1970s Lynyrd Skynyrd used their song “Sweet Home Alabama” as a response to Neil Young’s “Southern Man.” The South's moral panic originated from a sense of pride and tradition over outrage from Young's perspective on Southern society. In the 1990s artists such as Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube used rap music to express their indifference towards police brutality and mainstream society’s disregard for black communities.
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The introduction of Rock and Roll in the 1950's was seen a threat to many because of it's new style and appeal to the youth. Rock and Roll transformed the American culture by pushing for the breakaway from traditional and conservative views. Elvis Presley and Little Richard drew the youth away from their parents traditional beliefs through their music.
Neil Young and "Southern Man" caused a moral panic amongst Southerners in which they wanted to show that the South was not as bad as Young portrayed it to be. Lynyrd Skynyrd and "Sweet Home Alabama" put out the moral panic and created a sense of Southern Pride.
Drugs and violence headlined music in the 1990s. Public reaction to this was fearful and a growing sense of uncertainty emerged.
https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/07/arts/pop-view-gangster-rap-life-and-music-in-the-combat-zone.html